Effects of electroacupuncture combined with hydrogel on the formation and changes in the glial scar in rats with spinal cord injury

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) combined with oriented conductive bioprotein hydrogel(OCBH) on the recovery of nerve function in rats with complete spinal cord injury(SCI)and to explore its effect and mechanism on the formation and changes of glial scars.Methods: A total of 72 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into groups according to the treatment received. A rat model of complete SCI was constructed using a spinal cord transection.Behavioral assessments, hematoxylin-eosin(H&E) staining, immunofluorescence staining, and Western blotting were performed at a fixed period after the operation.Results: The material group and the material + EA group obtained better results in the behavioral assessments(all P <.05) and the H&E staining. In the immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting,the GFAP protein was expressed more and denser in the material group and the material + EA group than in the model group, and the density of the GFAP expression in the material + EA group was lower at week 12 than in the material group(all P <.05). The expression of complement C3 in the model, material,and material + EA groups decreased in turn. Some inflammatory factors and the NF-κB signaling pathway showed similar results in the Western blotting(all P <.05). The expression of the GDNF protein in the material + EA group was significantly higher than that in the model group and the material group(both P <.01).Conclusion: EA combined with OCBH can promote the recovery of motor functions after SCI by facilitating the formation of glial scars in the early stage, preventing the further spread of an inflammatory response that would affect the activation of A1/A2 astrocytes and change the morphology of glial scars at the spinal cord-material interface in its late stage.

THE TREATMENT OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOPATHY BY LASER ACUPUNCTURE AT THE CERVICAL JIAJI POINTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF 102 CASES

Laser acupuncture therapy was employed in the treatment of spondylopathy.Thetherapeutic effect of the three types of the spondylopathy,nerve root type,vertebral artery type andspinal cord type were stuied and compared.The results indicate a significant difference between thethree types of spondylopathy.The best therapeutic effect was obtained in nerve root type with a remarkable effective rate of 98.5％;the effective rates for the vertebral artery type and the spinal cordtype were 92.3％and 25％,respectively.Combining laser irradiatlon with acupuncture,the therapyposseses the functions of acupuncture,heat effect and mild moxibustion action.Therefore,it showedeffect quickly and had the advantages of short treatment course and high therapeutic effect.Clinicalobservation has confirmed that laser acupuncture is more effective than single laser irradiation.Thistherapy offers another simple but effective method for the treatment of spondylopathy.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON 40 CASES OF ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS TREATED WITH ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE DRUGS

Objective： To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus Chinese herbal medicines for ankylceing Methods： A total of 80 cases of AS patients were evenly and randomly divided into treatment group and control group. In treatment group, patients were treated with acupuncture of Jiaji （夹脊 EX-B 2） and oral administration of Yishen Tongdu Won （益肾通督丸,Bolus for Reinforcing the Kidney and Dredging Governor Vessesl） and those of control group treated with oral administration of Sulfasalazin （0.5 g, twice daily）. Before and after treatment, the thoracic-dilaion scale, Schober test, Bath ankylceing spondylitis disease activity index （BASDAI）, Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index （BASFI）, erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR） and C-reaction protein （CRP） were detected separately. Results： After 6 months of treatment, of the both 40cases in treatment and control groups, 27 （67.5%） and 13 （32.5%） were improved remarkably, 11 （27.5%） and 16 （40.0%） effective, and 2 （5.0%） and 11 （27.5%） failed, with the effective rates being 95.0% and 72.5% separately. The therapeutic effect of treatment group was significantly superior to that of control group （P〈 0.05）. After treatment, the thoracicdilaion scale and Schober test values increased significantly （ P〈 0.05）, while BASDAI, BASFI, ESR and CRP lowered considerably （P〈0.01, P〈0.05）. Comparison between two groups indicated that after treatment, the decreased values of BASDAI, BASFI, ESR and CRP of treatment group were significantly lower than those of control group （ P〈 0.01 ）, while those of the thoracio-dilaion scale and Schober test of treatment group were significantly higher than those of control group （ P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.01 ）. Results displayed that both acupuncture combined with Chinese drugs and Sulfasalazin could lower BASDAI, BASFI, ESR and CRP, raise the thoracic-dilaion scale and Schober test values considerably in AS patients, and the therapeutic effect of combined acupunclure and Chinese drugs was apparently superior to that of Westem medicine. Conclusion： Joint application of acupuncture and Chinese drugs is superior to Western medicine in the therapeutic effect for AS and has fewer side effects.

Effect of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points on the expression of microRNA-21 and neuronal apoptosis in rats with acute spinal cord injury

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points on the expression of microRNA-21 and neuronal apoptosis in rats with acute spinal cord injury. Methods:SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, electro-acupuncture group and methylprednisolone group. The model of acute spinal cord injury was reproduced by modified Allen's method. Each group was given corresponding intervention treatment 2 hours after modeling. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electro-acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points in T8 to T12, the methylprednisolone group was given intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone sodium succinate, and the sham operation group and model group were not treated. After treatment, BBB scores were observed to evaluate the motor function of posterior limb in each group, and the injured spinal cord tissues were taken. The pathological changes of spinal cord neuropathy were observed by Nissl staining. The expression of microRNA-21 was detected by RT-qPCR, and the expression of apoptotic proteins (Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved-Caspase-3) was detected by Western-Blot. Result:Compared with sham operation group, BBB, neuron survival rate and expression of microRNA-21 were significantly lower, apoptotic rate of neurons was significantly higher, expression of Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved Caspase-3 protein and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were significantly increased in model group (P< 0.05). Electroacupuncture could significantly increase BBB score, neuron survival rate and expression of microRNA-21, reduce apoptotic rate of neurons and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and inhibit the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved Caspase-3 protein in tissues, which were significantly different from those of model group (P< 0.05). Conclusions: Electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points can significantly promote the recovery of neurological function in rats after ASCI, and its mechanism may be closely related to the up-regulation of the expression of microRNA-21 in tissues and the inhibition of the activation of Bax/Bcl-2/cleaved Caspase-3 signaling pathway.

TREATMENT OF 29 CASES OF LUMBAR INTERVETEBRAL DISC PROTRUSION WITH GINGER-SEPARATED MOXIBUSTION

: To observe the effect of ginger-separated moxibustion for treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse. Methods: 29 lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion patients including 21 males and 8 females were treated with ginger-separated moxibustion of Ashi-point and Jiaji (EX-B 2 , the affected region), 5-6 cones every time, once every other day, continuously for 5 times. Then the therapeutic effect was analyzed. Results: After treatment, of the 29 cases, 23(79.3%) were cured, and the rest 6(20.7%) experienced improvement. Conclusion: Ginger-separated moxibustion is fairly effective and safe in treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE OF JIAJI (EX-B2) IN THE TREATMENT OF APOPLECTIC SPASTIC HEMIPLEGIA

Objective: To compare the therape utic effects of acupuncture of different acupoints in the treatment of spast ic hemiplegia of apoplexy. Methods: Eighty stro ke patients with spastic hemiplegia were evenly randomized into control grou p and treatment group. Forty cases of treatment group were given with acupun cture of Jiaji (夹脊 EX-B2) from T1 to L5, while forty cases of control gro up were treated with conventional acupoints as Jianyu (肩NFDA1 LI 15), Quchi (曲池 LI 11), Huantiao (环跳 GB 30), Zusanli (足三里 ST 36), Kunlun (昆仑 BL 60), etc. o n the diseased side, once daily, with 10 sessions being one therapeutic course, and 3 courses all together. The modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and neurological d eficit grading scale (NDS) were used as the indexes to assess the therapeutic ef fects. Results: After treatment, the scores of NDS of both treat ment and control groups reduced and the difference value between post- and pre-treatment of tr ea tment group was significantly bigger than that of control group. MAS showed a si milar tendency in both groups. Of the 40 cases in treatment and control groups, 6 and 1 were cured, 20 and 15 had marked improvement, 9 and 11 had improvement, 4 and 8 failed, 1 and 5 got worse, with the total effective rates being 87.5% an d 67.5% respectively. The therapeutic effect of treatment group was significantl y superior to that of control group (P<0.01). Conc lusion: Acupuncture of Jiaji ( EX-B2) is superior to acupuncture of conventional acupoints in alleviating the state of spastic hemiplegia of apoplexy.

Analysis on the Characteristics of the Co-seismic Response of Water Levels in the Jiaji Well

In this study, we analyze the co-seismic response of water levels in the Jiaji well to strong earthquakes （Ms ≥7. 8） from 2001 to 2010 at an epicentrai distance less than 8000km. We investigated the co-seismic variation form of water levels, and analyzed the relationship between the amplitude of water level variation and the magnitude and the epicentral distance. We then checked the seismic wave phases when the changes of water level occurred. It was shown that： （1） the water level＇s co-seismic response is mainly characterized by escalation with no oscillation; （2） the amplitude of water level change has a certain connection with epicentral distance and magnitude; （3） co-seismic response of water levels in the Jiaji well shows a certain directivity; （4） most of the co-seismic responses were caused by surface waves, and some by long-period S waves.

火针围刺联合夹脊电针治疗急性期带状疱疹:随机对照试验

ObjectivesTo investigate the clinical efficacy of surrounding fire needling combined with electroacupuncture (EA) at Jiājĭ (夹脊EX-B2) on acute herpes zoster, and explore the potential mechanism of this combined treatment by measuring the changes of serum inflammatory cytokines and pain mediators.MethodsSixty patients with acute herpes zoster were randomly assigned to either acupuncture plus western medicine group or western medicine group. In the western medicine group, the patients took orally mecobalamin and ganciclovir for 14 consecutive days. In the acupuncture plus western medicine group, on the base of the western medicine, the surrounding fire needling (fire needling was operated swiftly toward the center of skin lesions.) combined with EA at EX-B2 was provided. Acupoints of EX-B2 were selected based on the nerve ganglion corresponding to the skin lesions, as well as two adjacent nerve ganglions(one level upwards and one downwards) to the lesions, and were stimulated with EA once daily for 14 days. The change of symptoms from the blister eruption to scabbing and decrustation were observed. The score of visual analogue scale (VAS), serum inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α) and pain mediators (calcitonin gene related peptide, substance P) before and after treatment, the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) before and after treatment as well as at 1 month of follow-up, and the overall effective rate and the incidence of post-hepatic neuralgia at 1 month of follow-up were assessed and compared between two groups, respectively.ResultsAfter treatment completion, the time of blister relief, scabbing and decrustation in the acupuncture plus western medicine group was significantly shorter when compared with that of the western medicine group (all P < 0.05). After treatment, VAS score, PSQI score and HAMD score were all reduced significantly when compared with that before treatment within group (P < 0.05). These scores in the acupuncture plus western medicine were reduced significantly compared with the western medicine group at the same time point (all P < 0.05). After treatment, the incidence of post-hepatic neuralgia was 6.89%, lower than that in western medicine group (50.00%, P < 0.05). After treatment, the values of serum inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNT-a) and pain mediators (CGRP, SP) were reduced when compared with the those before treatment within group (P < 0.05), and the reduction in the acupuncture plus western medicine group was larger than that in the western medicine group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 96.67% in the acupuncture plus western medicine group, higher than western medicine group (86.67%, P < 0.05).ConclusionsSurrounding fire needling therapy combined with EA at EX-B2 on the base of western medicine obtained better therapeutic effect on acute herpes zoster when compared with western medicine. This combined treatment may effectively relieve pain and depressive emotions, improve sleep quality and reduce the incidence of post-hepatic neuralgia. The underlying mechanism may related to regulation of pain mediators and reduction of inflammatory cytokines.

Spinal stenosis treated with acupuncture on Huátuó Jiájǐ(夹脊EX-B 2) and vertebral curvature adjustment:report of therapeutic effect on 189 cases

Objective To observe the clinical effects on spinal stenosis treated with acupuncture on Huatuo Jiaji （夹脊EX-B 2） and vertebral curvature adjustment. Methods Comprehensive therapy was applied to all of 189 cases of any type of spinal stenosis, in which gukong needling technique was applied to Huatuo Jiaji （夹脊EX-B 2） at C4 - T5 and T12 - L5, associated with vertebral curvature adjustment with traction. The therapeutic effects were observed. Results Total effective rate was 96.8%, in which, clinical cured rate was 31.7% and excellent and good rate was 89.9% in average 28-month fol- low-up visit. Conclusion Spinal stenosis is segmental dynamic stenosis. It can be cured by acupuncture on Huatuo Jiaji （夹脊EX-B 2） and vertebral curvature adjustment and satisfactory result is achieved.

Intractable post-herpetic neuralgia in the trunk treated with point injection at Jiájǐ(夹脊 EX-B 2)

ABSTRACT Objective To compare the efficacy difference between point injection at Jiiaji （夹脊 EX-B 2） and oral medication in the treatment of intractable post-herpetic neuralgia （PHN） in the trunk. Methods One hundred and thirty cases were randomly divided into an point injection group and an medication group, 65 cases in each one. In point injection group, according to the invasion site of herpes zoster, Jiiaji （夹脊 EX-B 2） of corresponding segments and the meridian points on skin lesion areas, such as Fengchi （风池GB 20）, Tianzhu （天柱 BL 10）, Feishu （肺俞 BL 13） and Geguan （膈关 BL 46） were selected and injected with the mixed solution of compound Betamethasone （administered only in the first injection）, Vitamin B12 and Lidoeaine Carbonate, 2 mL on each point, once per day. In medication group, Diclofenac Sodium sustained release tablets, 75 mg were administered, twice per day. The clinical efficacy was compared 10 days later between two groups. Results The total effective rate in point injection group was 100.0% （65/65）, which was better than 66.1% （43/65） in medication group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion Point injection mainly at Jiiaji （夹脊 EX-B 2） is effective significantly on intractable PHN in the trunk, which is superior to Diclofenac Sodium sustained release tablets.

Treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: acupuncture at neck Jiájǐ points and blood-letting puncture with the plum-blossom needle

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at neck Jiájǐ （EX） points and blood-letting puncture with the plum-blossom needle on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Methods Sixty cases of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were divided into a treatment group and a control group with 30 cases in each group. Acupuncture at neck Jiájǐ （EX） points （Extra） and blood-letting puncture with the plum-blossom needle were adopted for the treatment group. And acupuncture at neck Jiájǐ （EX） points was adopted for the control group. The therapeutic effect, visual analogue scale （VAS） and the numbness score were observed after 2 treatment courses. Results The total effective rate of the treatment group was 86.7% （26/30）, while the rate of the control group was 83.3% （25/30）. Comparison of the differences of the two groups was without statistic significance （P0.05）. The VAS scores of the two groups after treatment were both improved （both P0.01）, but without statistic significance between the two groups （P0.05）. The numbness scores of the two groups after treatment were both better than those before treatment （P0.01）. The therapeutic effect on numbness of the extremities of the treatment group was better than that of the control group （P0.05）. Conclusion Blood-letting puncture with the plum flower needle has a satisfactory effect on treatment of numbness of the extremities of patient with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Wet Cupping Therapy Improves Local Blood Perfusion and Analgesic Effects in Patients with Nerve-Root Type Cervical Spondylosis

Objective： To observe wet cupping therapy（WCT） on local blood perfusion and analgesic effects in patients with nerve-root type cervical spondylosis（NT-CS）. Methods： Fifty-seven NT-CS patients were randomly divided into WCT group and Jiaji acupoint-acupuncture（JA） group according a random number table. WCT group（30 cases） was treated with WCT for 10 min, and JA group（27 cases） was treated with acupuncture for 10 min. The treatment efficacies were evaluated with a Visual Analogue Scale（VAS）. Blood perfusion at Dazhui（GV 14） and Jianjing（GB 21） acupoints（affected side） was observed with a laser speckle flowmetry, and its variations before and after treatment in both groups were compared as well. Results： In both groups, the VAS scores significantly decreased after the intervention（P〈0.01）, while the blood perfusion at the two acupoints significantly increased after intervention（P〈0.05）; however, the increasement magnitude caused by WCT was obvious compared with JA（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： WCT could improve analgesic effects in patients with NT-CS, which might be related to increasing local blood perfusion of acupunct points.

Effectiveness of electroacupuncture at Jiaji acupoints(EX-B 2), plus moxibustion and intermediate on postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture at Jiaji acupoints(EX-B 2)plus moxibustion and intermediate frequency on postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).METHODS:A total of 140 outpatients who satisfied the inclusion criteria and volunteered for this treatment were randomly divided into treatment(n=70)and control(n=70)groups.Both groups received a localized lesion area and electroacupuncture treatment combined with moxibustion and intermediate frequency.The treatment group(TG)increased acupuncture at Jiaji acupoints(EX-B 2)and electroacupuncture.Pain and anxiety were assessed before and after 5,10,15,and 20 treatments by using visual pain simulation score(VAS)and Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA),respectively.Clinical efficacy was also evaluated.RESULTS:The baseline between the two groups did not significantly differ(P>0.05).The VAS and HAMA scores of the two groups after treatment significantly decreased compared with those of various treatment stages(P>0.05).The HAMA score(P<0.01)of TG was lower than that of the control group(CG).The VAS score of TG was lower than that of CG in the 5th and 10th treatments(P<0.01).In the 15 th and 10 th scores,CG was also superior to TG(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The combined treatment of electroacupuncture at Jiaji acupoints(EX-B 2),moxibustion,and intermediate frequency can relieve the pain and anxiety symptoms of PHN.The efficacy of the combined treatment was superior to traditional acupuncture.

Application of Nape Acupuncture in Treatment of Vertebral-artery Type Cervical Spondylosis

Objective： To observe the effect of nape acupuncture on vertebral-artery type cervical spondylosis. Methods： Eighty patients with vertebral-artery type cervical spondylosis were randomly divided into nape acupuncture group and Jiaji acupuncture group, with 40 cases in each group. The patients in the nape acupuncture group were treated with the nape acupuncture plus Jiaji acupuncture, while the patients in the Jiaji group were treated with Jiaji acupuncture only, to observe the functional scale before and after treatment. Results： The total effective rate in the nape acupuncture group was 95.0%, while the total effective rate in the Jiaji acupuncture group was 82.5%. By Ridit analysis, u=5.186, P〈0.01. It indicated that the therapeutic effect in the nape acupuncture group was better than that in the Jiaji acupuncture group. Compared with Jiaji acupuncture group, the difference value of pre- and post-treatment about functional scale of vertebral-artery type cervical spondylosis and the post-treatment score have statistic differences （P〈0.01）. It indicated that the therapeutic effect of nape acupuncture group was more obvious in treating vertigo than that in the Jiaji acupuncture group. Conclusion： The treatment of vertebral-artery type cervical spondylosis by Jiaji acupuncture plus the nape acupuncture may enhance the therapeutic effect significantly.

Clinical effect of traditional Chinese spinal orthopedic manipulation in treatment of chondromalacia patellae

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of traditional Chinese spinal orthopedic manipulation(TCSOM) in treating chondromalacia patellae(CP).METHODS: Sixty cases of CP patients were randomly assigned to a TCSOM group and a Celecoxib group according to the random number table method. All patients in the TCSOM group were treated with a maximum of 10 spinal manipulations and rehabilitation training of quadriceps femoris. The symptoms before and after treatment were assessed with visual analog scale(VAS) and Kujala functional knee scoring system(KFKSS). A symptom improvement rate(SIR) was implemented in order to evaluate the effects of the treatments.RESULTS: The symptoms of 16 patients in the TC-SOM group quickly resolved after the first spinal manipulation and 8 cases were significantly improved. The VAS scores in the TCSOM group after 4weeks of treatment were significantly lower than those in the Celecoxib group. The KFKSS scores in the TCSOM group after 4 weeks of treatment were significantly higher than those in the Celecoxib group. Side effects of the treatment were not reported. Symptom improvement rate based on the VAS in the TCSOM group indicated more significant improvements than the Celecoxib group.CONCLUSION: TCSOM has greater efficacy than Celecoxib capsules for relief of the symptoms of CP.

Clinical observation of warm needling moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling moxibustion at points on the back in treating rheumatoid arthritis （RA）. Methods： Sixty RA patients were randomized into two groups by the random number table, 30 in each group. The observation group was intervened by warm needling moxibustion at the points from the Governor Vessel on the back and Jiaji （EX-B 2） points, while the control group was by regular acupuncture. Results： After intervention, the morning stiffness, joint pain index, joint swelling index and erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR） were significantly improved in both groups （P〈0.01）; the inter-group difference was also statistically significant （P〈0.05）. The total effective rate was 93.3% in the observation group versus 76.6% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Warm needling moxibustion at points from the Governor Vessel on the back and Jiaji （EX-B 2） points can produce a higher efficacy than regular acupuncture in treating RA.

Treatment of Herpes Zoster with Electroacupuncture plus Collateral-pricking and Cupping Therapy

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture （EA） plus collateral-pricking and cupping therapy for herpes zoster. Methods： Fifty-three cases with herpes zoster were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty-one cases in the treatment group were treated with EA at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points plus local collateral-pricking and cupping therapy. Twenty-two cases in the control group were treated with oral administration of VaLacido~;ir Hvdrochloride and Indomethaci~. Results： The curative and remarkable effective rate was 93.5% in the treatment group and 72.7% in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant （P〈0.01）, indicating that EA plus collateral-pricking and cupping therapy is better than Western medications in the clinical effects for herpes zoster. Conclusion： The EA plus collateral-pricking and cupping method is an effective therapy for herpes zoster.

Clinical Study on Chronic Gastritis Treated by Acupuncture

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effects of acupuncture in managing chronic gastritis. Methods： The subjects were 102 patients with chronic gastritis, receiving acupuncture at Jiaji （Ex-B 2） plus cupping for treatment. Results： Among the 102 patients, 31 were clinically recovered, 62 got improved, and the total effective rate was 91.2%. Conclusion： Acupuncture therapy is effective in treating chronic gastritis.

Clinical observation on acupuncture at Jiaji(EX-B 2) points plus tuina in treating thoracic facet joint disorder

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of acupuncture at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points plus tuina manipulation for thoracic facet joint disorder, and get new clinical evidence for treatment of thoracic facet joint disorder. Methods： Totally 106 patients with thoracic facet joint disorder were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group based on the random number table. Patients in the control group were treated by tuina manipulation, while those in the observation group were treated by acupuncture at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points before tuina manipulation. Patients in the two groups were treated once a day. The improvements of signs and symptoms and the efficacy were observed after 3 treatments. Results： After treatment, there were intra-group statistical differences in scores of 8 signs and symptoms in both groups （P〈0.01}; the score of each item in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, and there was statistical significance in the inter-group difference （P〈0.05）. The cure rate of the observation group was 50.9%, versus 26.4% in the control group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： In treating thoracic facet joint disorder, acupuncture plus tuina manipulation can restore the biomechanical balance of thoracic vertebrae, fully maximized the combined effect, and significantly improve the clinical efficacy.

Observation on clinical effects of acupuncture plus cupping therapy for cervical radiculopathy

Objective：To observe the therapeutic effects of acupuncture plus cupping therapy and Western medication alone for cervical radiculopathy.Methods：A total of 139 patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomly divided based on the random digital table into an acupuncture-cupping group（70 cases） and a Western medication group（69 cases）.In the acupuncture-cupping group,Fengchi（GB 20）（bilateral）,Dazhui（GV 14）,Jianjing（GB 21）（bilateral） and Jiaji（EX-B 2） points of the neck [bilateral,midpoint between Fengchi（GB 20） and Dazhui（GV 14）] were punctured.After the arrival of the needling sensation,bilateral Fengchi（GB 20） and Jianjing（GB 21） were linked with electric stimulation and the rest acupoints were manipulated with the moderate needling technique.In the retaining of the needles,TDP lamp radiation was used.After acupuncture,the cupping therapy was applied to the local area.The treatment was given once every other day,20 d for a course.After one course,the therapeutic effects were observed.The Western medication group was treated by oral administration of Meloxicam（Mobic）,7.5 mg,once a day,with water and liquid after meal.The therapeutic effects were observed after 20 d.Results：The total effective rate was 92.8% in the acupuncture-cupping group and 73.9% in the Western medication group,with a statistical difference between the two groups（P〈0.05）.After treatment,the scores of the clinical symptoms of the two groups were obviously declined（P〈0.01）,and the score of the clinical symptoms of the acupuncture-cupping group was better than that of the Western medication group,with a statistical difference（P〈0.05）.Conclusion：Acupuncture plus cupping therapy was more effective than administration of Meloxicam tablets alone in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy.